Is Spending 4 Hours a Day on Math Homework Normal in College?

[Tarnix]

Hello,
I'm in college taking this Finite Math class, which is the one after college algebra and before Applied Calculus. I'm spending an average of 4 hours a day to do my math homework and I'm wondering if this is normal? I was the same way in college algebra, but it was only about 2 hours a day doing homework. I mean during class I take notes and pay attention, but it seems like I don't learn it from my teachers. I have to sit down by myself and pretty much learn everything from my book by myself. The college I'm going to requires 1 semester of Applied Calculus for pretty much every degree so I need to at least get that far. I have tried the tutoring center in the past, but it's pretty much the same way, I can't seem to learn math from someone showing it to me, I have to figure it out for myself or I won't remember it. Is this normal or is there something wrong with me?

 

[kaisxuans]

i think it is normal. i have the same situation as you and I am getting along. well, maybe is that if teachers teach, it is new to you, so we don't register it well in our minds yet. when we get down to study, we then have everything in our minds and understand the topic well. well, i advise you to get a personal tutor and have him/her give you time to understand and master the new topics, and not to rush through them.
hope this helps!
(visit my blog!)

 

[rocomath]

it's normal from my pov, learning takes time ... you're not slow or anything, no worries :)

i also cannot learn in class, i just sit there and listen and see if i can pick something up. if i try to take notes then I'm just a robot with no ears.

 

[PowerIso]

Hey, I applaud you for taking the time to do your homework even if it takes a long time. With that work ethnic, you will go far in life. As for if it is normal? It doesn't matter, as long as you understand it in the end.

 

[qspeechc]

I find it the same way too. I don't really get much during the lectures, it's only when I get home and go over the work myself do I really get it. There's nothing wrong with 4hrs a day imo, as long as you thoroughly understand it in the end.

 

[tacosareveryyum]

I do not care for lectures at all. You sit there and listen, then pretty soon your eyes start to wander around to all the pretty girls, you start to daydream about the weekend, your stomach starts to growl, ect.
I was homeschooled from 7th grade through the 11th grade. I was pretty much taught to be a book learner. I hate it when a teacher does not use the book and relies solely on classroom notes.

It is unusually for me to spend any less than 4 hours on homework a night. If I don't it is because I had to work at my part time job.

 

[qspeechc]

I find there are no pretty girls in any of my courses, they're all butt ugly science girls :(

 

[complexPHILOSOPHY]

The techniques required for learning are subjective. Whichever is the best method of extrapolating, understanding, and applying the knowledge you have learned, is what is the best method or technique.

If sitting down and spending four hours on homework, allows you to understand and solve problems on your own, than that technique is normal.

There is no objective method for learning. Our brain's all operate independently.

 

[kdinser]

Try reading the sections and doing a few example problems before going to class. This way when you're sitting in class, you will be seeing something your already slightly familiar with and more of the lecture should stick.

I personally get nothing out of watching someone else do a problem, so once the theory section of the lecture is over and the professor starts doing examples, the lecture becomes a complete waste of time for me, at least as far as learning the material goes.

However, many times the professor gives hints as to what is going to be on exams by the kinds of problems he demonstrates in class, so it's important to stick it out to the end of class.

 

[InbredDummy]

don't worry, keep putting in the time, you might not see immediate results, but you will reap the rewards of your labor in the future. become a tenacious worker when you are young and you will succeed in the future.

 

[keinve]

um, i would say that you're not normal, but i think that's me. i tend to spend a minimum amount of time on homework. always have. no logical point in it if you get everythibng right in class... though, for people who will call me lazy, i tend to do a large amount of side projects, so much of my time is taken up. if it is worth doing, do it. homework is not worht doing past a seventy if you don't shirk on class work or tests.

 

[Poop-Loops]

4 hours a day is a lot. I remember doing homework two hours a day tops when I was in classes where it was due the next day, but I can't imagine spending 4 hours a day on it now. Then again, I am completely blowing off my History class, but you're only talking about one class, which makes it even weirder.

 

[BioCore]

I find there are no pretty girls in any of my courses, they're all butt ugly science girls :(

What school you go to? By the way, this is the mean reason why its smart to take non-science courses!

@Tarnix,

Don't worry that is quite normal, and usually if you spend more time on work you should better understand the material and thus do better in the course overall. In my calculus class, which is the only degree required math course, I have a professor that copies straight from the book! it gets annoying because, he gives us way too little homework, and usually if you do understand the concept, but don't practice the tougher questions you will fail the tests! My professor basically assigns us easy questions, but gives us tougher ones on tests, so I usually go ahead and study on my own and try to do many more questions than he assigns!

But as a side note, the more you do now, the less you will have to do later because as you build a strong foundation the later stuff become much easier! This is what I have heard, and have yet to test it out, lol.